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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 16th, 2021–Nov 17th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Large avalanches have been occurring near ridge top.

The Icefields Parkway will be open in the morning from Jasper to Parker Ridge Parking Lot. The rest of the highway will remain closed until later in the afternoon. Check AB511 for updates.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods.

Alpine temperature: -12 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 C, High -10 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -15 C, High -9 C.

Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Around 60cm of new snow at Parker Ridge in the past couple of days. Moderate to strong SW winds are building wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline. This new storm snow is sitting on a variable snowpack depending on aspect and elevation with a melt freeze crust up to around 2500m, weak faceted snow near the ground and old melt freeze crusts

Avalanche Summary

In the Parker Ridge area on Tuesday there were several avalanches near ridge top in a "thin to thick" snowpack and rocky terrain where wind had firmed up the new snow. These avalanches stepped down to ground. A large avalanche was caused by explosives in a similar terrain feature propagating over 800m wide.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.